Firestone Building Products Co. is expanding its reach across the West by constructing a thermoplastic polyolefin plant and distribution center in Las Vegas.
The 256,000-square-foot building already is under construction and is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2007.
“This strategic expansion helps us better meet growing regional demand for heat-reflective UltraPly TPO roofing systems,” Firestone President Mike Gorey said in a news release. Gorey is also chairman, chief executive officer and president of BFS Diversified Products LLC, the parent of Firestone.
The new building will help Firestone push its TPO membrane production line number to five. It also has a TPO production facility in Wellford, S.C., as well as a line at a plant in Tuscombia, Ala.
The Tuscombia plant is operated by GenFlex Roofing Systems LLC, a company acquired Sept. 27 from Omnova Solutions Inc.
Firestone, which phased out its PVC offerings in 2005, plans to do the same at GenFlex by mid-2007 in conjunction with completion of the Las Vegas facility.
“As a safe and environmentally friendly option, TPO represents the future of the thermoplastic roofing market,” Gary Thompson, GenFlex general manager, said in a news release.
GenFlex said it will add a second TPO line at its Tuscumbia, Ala., facility after the new plant is finished.
Firestone’s experience with TPOs dates back more than 20 years. GenFlex introduced its TPO line in 1996.
Firestone makes single-ply thermoplastic and asphalt-based roofing systems, polyiso insulation and accessories for the commercial roofing industry.
